2000

15 September 2000: Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee reaffirmed India's voluntary suspension of nuclear test at a press conference with President Clinton.

30 June 2000: Russian Federation submits its articles of ratification for the CTBT.

21 April 2000: Russian Duma ratifies the CTBT by a vote of 298-74.

1999

13 October 1999: Senate fails to ratify the CTBT by a vote of 51-48. This is the first security related treaty in 80 years that the Senate has not ratified.

8 October 1999: Senate opens floor debate on the CTBT.

6-8 October 1999: First Conference on facilitating the Entry into Force held in Viena, Austria.

5-7 October 1999: Senate holds hearings on the CTBT in front of the Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committee. Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former SecDef James Schlesinger, Secretary of Engergy Bill Richardson, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Shelton and former CJCS Shalikashvili were among those that testified. Senate Armed Services Committee; Senate Foreign Relations Committee PDF or HTML

29 June 1999: Senators Byron Dorgan, James Jeffords, Edward Kennedy, Patty Murray, and Arlen Specter send a letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms urging that the committee conduct hearings concerning the ratification of the CTBT and allow for a vote.

1998

27 January 1998: four former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Shalikashvili, Colin Powell, David Jones, and William Crowe endorse ratification of the treaty, but conditioned their support on the "six safeguards" established by President Clinton in 1995.

23 September 1998: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledges that Pakistan will adhere to the CTBT provided India reciprocates and the U.S. ceases economic sanctions.

6 April 1998: United Kingdom and France become the first declared nuclear-weapon states to submit their instruments of ratification for the CTBT

1997

November, 1997: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency announces a determination that the 16 August 1997 seismic event was not a nuclear test near Novaya Zemlya, but an earthquake at the bottom of teh Kara Sea.

September 22, 1997: President Clinton transmits the CTBT to the Senate for advice and consent.

August 16, 1997: Seismic Event, which could be interpreted as a nuclear explosion, detected near Russian nuclear test site at Novaya Zemlya.

1996

1996: Ukraine has all of its nuclear weapons removed and becomes a non-nuclear state.

November 20, 1996: Preparatory Commission convenes its first meeting to begin the process of developing Rules of Procedure, Financial Regulations, and other necessary measures for the future operation of the Organization in implementing the Treaty.

November 19, 1996: Meeting of CTBT signatory states adopted by acclamation the Text on the Establishment of a Preparatory
Commission for the CTBT Organization, developed at the CD.

November 1996: Belarus becomes a non-nuclear state with the removal of the remaining Soviet nuclear warheads.

1996 September 24: SIGNING OF CTBT - President Clinton is the first world leader to sign the CTBT. Over the next two days, an initial group of 70 other nations including Britain, China, France, and Russia sign the CTBT. As of early November 1997, 148 signatures and eight ratifications had been obtained.

1996 September 10 UNGA ADOPTION OF CTBT: The United Nations General Assembly reconvenes and votes 158 to 3
to adopt the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and open it for signature at the earliest possible date. India, Bhutan, and Libya
vote against, while Cuba, Lebanon, Syria, Mauritius, and Tanzania abstain.

1996 August 23: AUSTRALIAN RESOLUTION Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announces that Australia will sponsor a resolution seeking endorsement of the CTBT from the United Nations General Assembly and its opening for signature at the earliest possible date.

1996 August 16: CTBT NEGOTIATIONS August 16, 1996: Nuclear Test Ban Ad Hoc Committee meets and agrees to a report to the CD stating that "no consensus" could be reached either on adopting the text of the CTBT or on formally passing it to the CD, due to Indian objections.

1996 August 9: CTBT NEGOTIATIONS After consultations in the Nuclear Test Ban Ad Hoc Committee, its chairman announces that he has confirmed that continuing negotiations on the draft treaty as a whole would not yield further results. Chairman Ramaker announces one modification in the draft Treaty relating to the number of states required to approve an on-site inspection.

1996 July 29: LAST CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST China conducts its 45th known nuclear test and announces a unilateral on nuclear testing effective from July 30, 1996, pending the conclusion of a CTBT.

1996 June28: DRAFT CTB TREATY Chairman of the Nuclear Test Ban Ad Hoc Committee Ramaker submits a compromise draft CTB treaty for approval by the UN Conference on Disarmament at the conclusion of the second part of the 1996 CD session.
In a statement issued by the White House, President Clinton applauds the compromise draft as bringing "us one step closer to
the day when no nuclear weapons are detonated anywhere on the earth." The White House and calls on members of the CD to return to Geneva in late July prepared to agree to forward a CTBT to the United Nations, so that the Treaty can be approved and opened for signature in the United States in September. Because of the objections of India, however, the CD is
unable to agree to forward the draft to the UN.

1996 June 20: INDIAN REJECTION OF CTB TREATY India announces that it will not sign the CTBT as drafted because the treaty would still permit the nuclear weapon states to "continue refining and developing their nuclear arsenal" (see April 2, 1954).

1996 June 8: CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST - In connection with its 44th nuclear weapons test, China announces its plan to conduct one more nuclear test before September 1996, after which it "will exercise a moratorium on nuclear testing" and will "work with other countries for the conclusion, within this year, of a fair, reasonable, and verifiable CTB treaty with universal adherence and unlimited duration."

May 28, 1996: Nuclear Test Ban Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Jaap Ramaker of the Netherlands tables a draft "Chairman's text"
stating he had concluded that the best way to meet the internationally agreed deadline was to "present a complete
draft to show the way forward."

April 20, 1996: Moscow Nuclear Summit issues statement on CTBT calling for concluding and signing the CTBT by September, 1996.

April 11, 1996: U.S. signs Protocols I and II to the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty in Cairo, Egypt.

March 25, 1996: U.S., France and the UK sign three Protocols to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty in Suva, Fiji.

March 19, 1996: UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali appeals to the CD to complete a global treaty banning all
nuclear explosions by June 30.

February 29, 1996: Australia submits a 102-page draft CTBT text to the CD and calls on negotiators to reach an agreement by late June.

February 1, 1996: In an address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, President Chirac announces that France has finished testing "once and for all" and states that France is prepared to push for completion of a zero-yield CTBT in 1996.

January 29, 1996: President Chirac announces the end of French nuclear testing in the South Pacific.

1996 January 27: END OF FRENCH TESTS France conducts its sixth and final nuclear test.

1995

12 December 1995: United Nations General Assembly passes resolution 50/65 by consensus calling on the CD to conclude the
CTBT so as to enable its signature by the outset of the 51st session of the General Assembly.

23 October 1995: Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin agree at Hyde Park to work together to succeed in getting a zero yield CTBT in 1996.

20 October 1995: The United States, France and the United Kingdom release a joint statement at the United Nations and in
capitals stating their intent to sign the Protocols to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ) Treaty "during the
first half of 1996."

20 October 1995: The United States, France and the United Kingdom release a joint statement at the United Nations and in
capitals stating their intent to sign the Protocols to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ) Treaty "during the first half of 1996."

5 October 1995: RUSSIAN ACCEPTANCE OF ZERO-YIELD CTBT - At a summit meeting in Hyde Park, New York, with President Clinton, President Yeltsin agrees to a zero-yield CTBT.

14 September 1995: The United Kingdom announces its support for a zero yield CTBT.

5 September 1995: FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS - France resumes nuclear testing in the South Pacific amid widespread international protests. White House issues a statement regretting this action.

11 August 1995: U.S. "ZERO-YIELD" CTBT PROPOSAL - President Clinton announces that the United States plans to seek a true "zero- yield" CTBT banning all nuclear weapons test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. According to U.S. officials, "so long as we implement a strong science-based stockpile stewardship program, we can maintain a safe and reliable stockpile without tests of any size -- and can rule out even so-called hydro nuclear experiments of a few pounds nuclear energy release."

11 August 1995: U.S. "ZERO-YIELD" CTBT PROPOSAL - President Clinton announces that the United States plans to seek a true "zero- yield" CTBT banning all nuclear weapons test explosion or any other nuclear explosion. According to U.S. officials, "so long as we implement a strong science-based stockpile stewardship program, we can maintain a safe and reliable stockpile without tests of any size -- and can rule out even so-called hydro nuclear experiments of a few pounds nuclear energy release."

4 August 1995: U.S. STOCKPILE STEWARDSHIP REPORT - The U.S. Department of Energy releases a major study on the U.S.nuclear weapons stockpile prepared by an independent group of senior nongovernmental scientists (the JASON group). The report finds that "the United States can, today, have high confidence in the safety, reliability, and performance margins of the nuclear weapons that are designated to remain in the enduring stockpile."

13 June 1995: RESUMPTION OF FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTING - French President Jacques Chirac announces that France will resume
nuclear testing in September, with a series of eight tests in the South Pacific to last until May 1996, and be ready to sign a CTBT in the fall of 1996. White House issues statement regretting France's decision to resume nuclear testing. Two months later, in the face of negative reaction, France announces that the tests will end more quickly.

31 May 1995: SOVIET NUCLEAR DEVICE AT SEMIPALATINSK - A Soviet nuclear device, which had been emplaced at the Semipalatinsk test site prior to the commencement of the moratorium and which was not retrievable, is destroyed by a chemical explosion. On October 3, the United States agrees to assist Kazakhstan in permanently shutting down the test site.

11 May 1995: The NPT Review and Extension Conference agrees to extend the NPT indefinitely and without condition. The Conference adopts "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and isarmament" calling for the conclusion of negotiations on a CTBT in 1996.

11 May 1995: The NPT Review and Extension Conference agrees to extend the NPT indefinitely and without condition. The Conference adopts "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament" calling for the conclusion of negotiations on a CTBT in 1996.

30January 1995: EXTENSION OF U.S. MORATORIUM - On January 30, APNSA Lake announces that the President has decided to extend the moratorium on U.S. nuclear testing until a CTBT enters into force (assuming signature before September 30, 1996). Lake also announces that the U.S. will withdraw its proposal for a special "right to withdraw" from the CTBT ten years after it enters into force, noting that the President considers the maintenance of a safe and reliable nuclear stockpile to be a supreme national interest of the United States.

1994

December 15, 1994: UNGA passes resolution 49/70 by consensus reaffirming its support for multilateral negotiations on a
CTBT.

1994 March 14: EXTENSION OF U.S. MORATORIUM - On March 14, President Clinton extends the U.S. unilateral moratorium until the end of September 1996.

1994 January 25 CTBT NEGOTIATIONS The UN Conference on Disarmament reconvenes in Geneva and directs the Ad Hoc Committee to negotiate intensively on a universal and multilaterally and effectively verifiable comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, which would contribute effectively to the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects, to the process of nuclear disarmament and therefore to the enhancement of international peace and security. Negotiations begin in the Ad Hoc Committee.

1994 January 14: MOSCOW SUMMIT STATEMENT - In a joint statement issued at a summit meeting in Moscow, Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin reaffirm their support for a CTB. The two leaders call for completing the treaty "as soon as possible" and for "other states to refrain from carrying out nuclear explosions while [CTB negotiations] are being held."

1993

December 16, 1993: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passes resolution 48/70 by consensus supporting the multilateral
negotiation of a CTBT. This is the first time that a consensus resolution in support of a CTBT has been adopted by the UNGA.

10 August 1993: CTB MANDATE - The United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva
agrees to give its Ad Hoc Committee on a Nuclear Test Ban a mandate to begin negotiations on a CTBT in January, 1994. The
Chairman of the AHC is authorized to proceed with intersessional consultations on the specifics of the CTBT mandate and other issues.

3 July 1993: EXTENSION OF U.S. TESTING MORATORIUM - President Clinton announces in his Saturday radio address to the nation the conclusion of the Presidential review on nuclear testing and a CTBT and states his intention to extend the U.S. testing moratorium and seek to negotiate a CTBT. Clinton extends the U.S. moratorium on nuclear testing "at least through September of [1994], as long as no other nation tests."

April 23, 1993: President Clinton releases a White House statement on advancing U.S. relations with Russia and the other
New Independent States stating his intention to begin consultations with Russia, our allies and other states on the
specific issues related to a CTBT negotiation within the next two months.

4 April 1993: Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin agree at the Vancouver summit that negotiations on a multilateral nuclear test ban should commence at an early date and that the two governments would consult with each other accordingly.

3 March 1993: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) Lake orders completion of an interagency
Presidential Review of U.S. Policy on Nuclear Testing and a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

2 February 1993: CLOSURE OF SOVIET TEST SITE - Kazakhstan announces the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear
test site.

13 January 1993: FRENCH MORATORIUM - France announces it will not test nuclear weapons provided the United States and Russia do not test.

1992

2 October 1992: U.S. MORATORIUM - President Bush signs into law the Hatfield Amendment establishing
a nuclear testing moratorium. The moratorium is subsequently extended by U.S. President Bill Clinton, first through September
1994 and then through September 30, 1996.

19 October 1992: RUSSIAN MORATORIUM - Russian President Boris Yeltsin extends the Russian moratorium on
testing until July 1, 1993.

23 September 1992: LAST U.S. NUCLEAR TEST - The United States conducts its last nuclear test to date.

1991

15 July 1991: FRENCH TESTING MORATORIUM - France conducts its last nuclear test before entering into a
unilateral nuclear testing moratorium that lasts until September 1995.

5 October 1991: SOVIET TESTING MORATORIUM - The Soviet Union announces a one-year, unilateral moratorium on
testing and calls for an end to all nuclear tests.

26 November 1991: LAST BRITISH NUCLEAR TEST - Britain, which uses the U.S. test site in Nevada, conducts its
last nuclear test before the U.S. moratorium takes effect.

1990

24 October 1990: LAST SOVIET NUCLEAR TEST - The Soviet Union conducts its last nuclear test before entering
into a unilateral moratorium. Russia has continued to observe this testing halt.

25 September/9 October 1990: TTBT AND PNET RATIFICATION - The U.S. Senate ratifies the TTBT and PNET on September 25, the
Supreme Soviet on October 9. The treaties enter into force on December 11, when the two sides exchange instruments of
ratification at a ministerial meeting in Houston, Texas.

9 January 1990: U.S. POLICY STATEMENT ON A CTB - U.S. President George Bush approves a policy statement on nuclear
testing indicating that the United States "has not identified any further limitations on nuclear testing...that would be in the
U.S. national security interest." The United States considers a CTB to be a "long-term objective" that will be attainable only
"when we do not need to depend on nuclear deterrence."